Feds nab two Pakistanis for scamming medicare, sending laundered money back home
A federal court in Chicago indicted two Pakistani nationals for their alleged participation in a $10 million Medicare scam on Thursday, a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release stated.
According to the press release, Burzhan Mirza and Kashif Iqbal used “nominee-owned laboratories” and “durable medical equipment providers” to make fraudulent Medicare and insurance claims “for items and services that were not provided.”
Mirza, 31, lived in Pakistan and allegedly “obtained the identifying information of individuals, providers, and insurers without their knowledge,” using the information to support claims being submitted through “nominee-owned companies.” Iqbal, 48, lived in Lavon, Texas, and was allegedly “associated with a number of durable medical equipment providers that submitted fraudulent claims to insurers.” According to the indictment, Iqbal laundered money from the scam and “coordinated the transfer of money” back to Pakistan.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said via the press release that eliminating fraud is “a priority” for the DOJ.
“These alleged criminals stole from a program designed to provide health care benefits to American seniors and the disabled, not line the pockets of foreign fraudsters,” Blanche stated. “We will not tolerate these schemes that divert taxpayer dollars to criminals.”
According to the press release, Burzhan Mirza and Kashif Iqbal used “nominee-owned laboratories” and “durable medical equipment providers” to make fraudulent Medicare and insurance claims “for items and services that were not provided.”
Mirza, 31, lived in Pakistan and allegedly “obtained the identifying information of individuals, providers, and insurers without their knowledge,” using the information to support claims being submitted through “nominee-owned companies.” Iqbal, 48, lived in Lavon, Texas, and was allegedly “associated with a number of durable medical equipment providers that submitted fraudulent claims to insurers.” According to the indictment, Iqbal laundered money from the scam and “coordinated the transfer of money” back to Pakistan.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said via the press release that eliminating fraud is “a priority” for the DOJ.
“These alleged criminals stole from a program designed to provide health care benefits to American seniors and the disabled, not line the pockets of foreign fraudsters,” Blanche stated. “We will not tolerate these schemes that divert taxpayer dollars to criminals.”
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